Rustic Crust and American Flatbread frozen pizza CEO Brad Sterl was joined by New Hampshire’s governor and local dignitaries at the groundbreaking for the new Rustic Crust plant.

Rustic Crust, a manufacturer of organic and all-natural pizza crust and sauce, today honored the New Hampshire Police, Fire & EMS Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to supporting firefighters, police officers and emergency medical service personnel, for its statewide contributions. The event coincided with the ground-breaking of a new Rustic Crust and American Flatbread frozen pizza facility soon to be erected on the site of its former factory in Pittsfield, New Hampshire, which burned to the ground earlier this year. The new two-story 27,000 square-foot facility, 30 percent larger than the original structure, will be in operation this fall. After the fire, Rustic Crust’s President and CEO Brad Sterl kept more than 100 workers on payroll while he began to rebuild the company.

Sterl and Governor Maggie Hassan recognized first responders as unsung heroes who risk their lives daily to protect the communities they serve, just as they did during the company’s devastating fire. The event marks the start of a national campaign, The Rustic Crust First Responders Recognitionprogram, to support and acknowledge these service workers across the nation. In New Hampshire and in states across the U.S., Rustic Crust and American Flatbread frozen pizzas will donate product to state first responder organizations assisting with fundraisers and other events. The company will also continue to send its mobile pizza truck to natural disaster sites to feed fatigued workers.

“As a result of the fire at our production facility, we know firsthand the courage and sacrifice displayed by first responders,” Sterl said. “We are launching this national program to honor the extraordinary work of these brave men and women – fire, police, and emergency rescue people – in their times of need.”

Rustic Crust was founded in 1996 and is the number one U.S. national brand of natural prepared, ready-made pizza crusts. American Flatbread is a market leader in natural frozen flatbread pizzas which are available in supermarkets, health and gourmet stores nationwide. The company is Pittsfield, New Hampshire’s second largest employer.

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Sartori Cheese is excited to announce a fourth year partnership with Mason Crosby and the Packers Radio Network to support the Wisconsin Make-A-Wish Foundation during the 2014 NFL season. Sartori will contribute $1,000 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation for every field goal Crosby makes during the 2014 football season including pre- and postseason. To date, Sartori has donated over $60,000 to Make-A-Wish Wisconsin.

“We are excited to start this partnership again for the 2014 season. Both Mason and the Packers Radio Network have been great to work with. It’s important for those who are fortunate enough to give back, to do so. We have close ties with the Make-A-Wish Foundation and support what they do for children with life-threatening medical conditions. We’re able to help a child’s dream come true and that is bigger than any of us,” stated Sartori CEO and Owner Jim Sartori.

Last year alone, Sartori contributed $42,000 to the Make-A-Wish Wisconsin Foundation. Mason Crosby had a stand-out 2013 football season, successfully completing 39 field goals in the pre- and regular season and an additional 2 successful conversions in the postseason. Sartori increased their contribution to $1,500 for each completed field goal in the postseason.

Sartori Cheese will have weekly updates on the contribution amount via its Facebook and Twitter social sites. The company will also be hosting giveaways and special offers during the entire 2014 football season.

The Wisconsin Make-A-Wish Foundation is an organization dedicated to granting the wishes of seriously ill children. Since the Wisconsin chapter founding in 1984, nearly 5,000 children and their families throughout the state have experienced the transformative power of a wish. Last year alone, Make-A-Wish Wisconsin granted a record-breaking 340 wishes. The charity is near and dear to Jim Sartori and his wife Jan, as their family has been involved in donations and fundraising for years.

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This is the Land O’Lakes First Run Program’s 74th donation since it was established in 2010. The program is committed to donating truckloads of fresh product year round, made specifically for food banks to help alleviate hunger nationwide. As part of the First Run Program, Land O’Lakes has donated more than 2.8 million pounds of product.

“Food Lifeline provides 30 percent of the meals being served by food banks, meal programs and shelters across western Washington,” said Food Lifeline President and CEO Linda Nageotte. “So donations like this mac & cheese make a huge difference in stopping hunger.”

“As a national, farmer-owned cooperative, Land O’Lakes is committed to help the growing number of people who struggle to put food on their table,” said Land O’Lakes Foundation Executive Director Lydia Botham. “The First Run Program provides a unique opportunity for Land O’Lakes to provide a fresh, nutritious product to families that can enjoy it.”

The First Run Program is part of Land O’Lakes’ Feeding Our Communities initiative. For more information on any of these programs, visit the Land O’Lakes Foundation web page at www.landolakesinc.com.

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If you’re a fan of snack mixes based on breakfast cereals and pretzels, but you’ve been thinking that snack mix just doesn’t seem decadent enough to serve your friends at your next party, Red Rocker Candy has a thought for you. Rocking Chair Mix is the company’s crunchy mix of cereals, pretzels and roasted almonds, all covered in white chocolate. Or, as one of my colleagues put it, “It’s not that unsatisfying yogurt coating.”

The letter that Jennifer Monges, a Manager at Red Rocker Candy, enclosed with the samples she sent our way says that the Rocking Chair Mix is often described as addictive, and Kitchenware News Associate Editor Amber Gallegos, the colleague who appreciated the white chocolate coating agrees. “Yeah, oh yeah,” she says. “Pretty bombalicious.” Rocking Chair Mix is offered in 7-ounce and 21-ounce cans.

Red Rocker Candy also offers Peppermint Bark from October through December. It’s a seasonal favorite that’s a feast for the eyes with white chocolate swirls and crushed peppermint candy on dark chocolate. The bark is sold in 8-ounce and 16-ounce boxes.

Cashew Toffee with White Chocolate is a classical buttery toffee topped with white chocolate and cashew bits. The company also offers Peanut Brittle and Pecan Brittle and promises that Pistachio Brittle will be available at the end of the year. The Cashew Toffee is offered in an 8-ounce bag and 16-ounce box. The brittles are offered in 8-ounce bags. Peanut Brittle also comes in a 16-ounce box, and Pecan Brittle comes in a 14-ounce box.

Red Rocker Candy was founded in 2002 and is based in Troy, Virginia. For more information, visit www.redrockercandy.com.

– Lorrie Baumann

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I cut short lunch today, and found myself standing at the counter of an always-busy local bread and sandwich shop, mulling what seemed like a good dozen and a half varieties of delicious-looking whole wheat loaves. The stakes were high. The occasion? I had promised my coworkers a “booth-style” tasting of a collection of extra-virgin olive oils from Tunisian olive oil producer CHO, that brought this North African country’s first branded oils to the world market two and a half years ago. While you have probably tasted Tunisian olive oil many times – as the world’s second largest net exporter of EVOO, the country’s bulk olive oils have long been rebranded or used in mixes from leading exporters Spain and Italy among others – we took a little test drive of CHO’s attractively-bottled EVOOs to give you a heads up on oils that are found in 4,000 retailers nationwide.

As my booth guests picked bread slice quarters and dipped into a selection of oils, I decided to start my taste excursion midstream, opting for the lemon-infused EVOO that gave plenty of citrus essence against a hearty, viscous golden oil. After cleansing my palate a bit with CHO’s original organic EVOO, which all agreed would make for fine cooking use, I finished my tour with the basil and garlic-infused oils. The basil was quite strong, enjoyable and definitely for the consumer with a dipping-type purpose in mind. The garlic also firmly announced its infusion and was quite tasty.

CHO is one of a growing number of producers world-wide that have been making inroads to the U.S. market; Tunisia accounts for nearly 11% of U.S. EVOO imports, behind only Spain and Italy. Nearby Morocco also registers in the top 10 suppliers of U.S.-consumed EVOO. Along with award-winning producers in Chile, Argentina and Uruguay, as well as Australia and a number of countries in and around the Mediterranean, these “second-tier” producing countries are giving an increasingly discerning American gourmet food consumer more and more EVOO choices at their local Whole Foods or specialty food shop.

Until our next selection of freshly-baked artisan bread and tasting session (unofficial word out of the newsroom has chocolate spreads leading slightly over tapenades as the next product category in the tasting booth), may all of your olive oil choices be infused with flavor and enjoyment.

The Anasazi beans are a Southwest heritage variety that I bought at my local farmers market. They’re a gorgeous bean with cranberry and cream speckles, and they have a creamy texture when cooked. The Brown Sugar + Molasses sauce is one of a pair of new flavors from Pendleton, which also makes new Hot+Spicy flavor and Original and Mesquite flavors. The sauces are made by Oregon Growers & Shippers in partnership with Hood River Distillers. The Brown Sugar + Molasses Sauce was created for consumers looking for a sweeter flavor profile and is made from premium quality molasses and dark brown sugar for a caramel flavor accented with hints of citrus from coriander and some mild heat from black and chipotle peppers and a backdrop of hickory smoke that add some spicy tang to that sweetness for a result that didn’t taste anything like candied beans.

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Building on the success of award-winning Gourmet Sea Salt Collections, The Spice Lab has added sampling selections of spices, seasonings and now tea.

Introducing at NY NOW, three Tea Collections of 11 or 12 tube sets of British Teas, Asian Teas or Infused Teas, showcased in a handcrafted wooden base of reclaimed Colorado pine or sustainable bamboo. Each tube holds enough for three pots of tea.

See them in booth # 3677 in the Tabletop + Gourmet Housewares Show at NY NOW, August 17-20 at Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York City.

The Spice Lab blends its own infused salts using all natural unrefined sea salt and premium finely ground chili peppers from around the world. Each unique salt offers distinct flavor and heat, true to the peppers that season it. In 100 ml glass jars and 3-ounce stand-up foil pouches.The line includes:

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During peak picnic season, make sure your spread is complete with the perfect potato salad. With more than 100 potato salads in its rich recipe database, as well as tips from the experts and how-to videos, the Idaho Potato Commission’s (IPC) website is your top resource for this popular summer side dish.

“Through analytics we know that close to 70 percent of the visitors to our website during the summer months are looking for recipes or tips to help them make the perfect potato salad,” explained Frank Muir, President/CEO of the IPC. “Our new recipe database, Ask Dr. Potato question and answer forum, and abundant how-to videos on our YouTube channel demonstrate how and why Idaho® potatoes are the ideal potato for summer salads.”

RecipesHot, cold, traditional, or with a twist, there are so many different mouth-watering Idaho potato salad recipes that you can serve a new one to your family every day during the summer months. It’s hard to resist the traditional potato salad with mayonnaise and hardboiled eggs, but if you’re looking for a light and nutrient-dense option, try the Asparagus and Idaho Potato Quinoa Salad with Orange Parsley Dressing. Loaded with flavor, textures, and important vitamins and minerals, this dish can stand alone as a vegetarian meal or accompany your family’s favorite protein. Did we mention it’s gluten-free, too?

Dr. PotatoThere isn’t a potato-related question that Dr. Potato can’t answer. The number one trending question this season is, “How long does potato salad last in the refrigerator?” Here is Dr. Potato’s response: “Did the salad get made up and then refrigerated right away, and you just have some left over? If this is the case then it should easily last three to four days. Was the salad used at a picnic and then placed back in the refrigerator? Then probably no more than the next day, if that. I usually don’t recommend saving the salad after it has sat out in the heat at all.”To read more on this topic and other popular potato-related questions, please visit http://foodserviceblog.idahopotato.com.

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The Kroger Co. has announced 366 winners of the Kroger Scholars award for 2014-2015 school year. Each student will receive $1,000 to assist with post-high school educational expenses.

“We are so proud of each one of these young men and women who have demonstrated a commitment to learning and hard work,” said Lynn Marmer, Kroger’s Group Vice President of Corporate Affairs and president of The Kroger Co. Foundation. “For so many parents, sending a child off to college is at once a pride- and anxiety-inducing experience. We hope these funds will make it a little easier for our associates and their children as they transition to studying beyond high school.”

Kroger Scholars is a company-wide program of The Kroger Co. Foundation, and is open to children of associates who work in the Kroger family of stores, have at least two years of service and work a minimum of 1,000 hours per year.

Funds can be used at any accredited two- or four-year college, university or vocational program.

Scholarship America, a leading national scholarship manager, selected recipients based on a broad range of criteria including scholastic performance, work experience, extra-curricular and volunteer activities and a statement of goals and aspirations.

Since launching in 2008, Kroger Scholars has provided more than $2.2 million in awards to more than 2,200 families.

Kroger, one of the world’s largest retailers, employs more than 375,000 associates who serve customers in 2,640 supermarkets and multi-department stores in 34 states and the District of Columbia under two dozen local banner names including Kroger, City Market, Dillons, Food 4 Less, Fred Meyer, Fry’s, Harris Teeter, Jay C, King Soopers, QFC, Ralphs and Smith’s. The company also operates 786 convenience stores, 320 fine jewelry stores, 1,240 supermarket fuel centers and 38 food processing plants in the U.S. Recognized by Forbes as the most generous company in America, Kroger supports hunger relief, breast cancer awareness, the military and their families, and more than 30,000 schools and grassroots organizations. Kroger contributes food and funds equal to 200 million meals a year through more than 80 Feeding America food bank partners.

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Bauli, a creator of authentic Italian holiday cakes and pastries, is announcing its official launch in the United States. Bauli products are now available at retailers, including Fairway, Whole Foods and Duane Reade stores nationwide. Bauli’s line of products will introduce traditional Italian desserts to the U.S. market, guaranteeing the highest quality of natural ingredients to customers.

Rooted in Verona, Italy with history dating back to 1922, today, the Bauli family business maintains the same dedication to excellence that it started over 80 years ago. Bauli prides itself in having combined the skill of homemade recipes with high technology to bring authentic Italian baked goods and holiday products to consumers. With respect for traditions and ancient recipes, Bauli products are oven baked and made with no preservatives, no artificial colors or flavors and no genetically modified ingredients and are kosher certified. The Bauli family’s guiding principle has always been a desire for excellence.

Bauli’s core products include Il Panettone di Milano, the traditional and most famous Italian Christmas bread, loaded with candied citron, lemon zest and raisins;Il Pandoro di Verona, a pan d’oro or golden bread, which is a traditional Christmas bread from Verona that’s baked in a special star-shape mold, sprinkled with confectioners’ sugar and made with real eggs, which gives it the beautiful golden color; and its everyday croissant treats, which include chocolate cream, vanilla custard, and cherry jelly. In addition to these core products, Bauli is also offering its specialty Italian treats for the U.S., including Il Budino, a moist cake with delicate chocolate filling, exquisite chocolate icing and dark chocolate decorations, and La Bavarese, a soft pan d’oro dough with delicate custard cream and sugared cocoa filling. Bauli’s authentic products are the ultimate holiday hostess gift, arriving in a beautiful packaging, Il Panettone and Il Pandoro are an awaited Christmas tradition at many family tables throughout Italy, uniting the love of family, friends and food. Bauli products are a delicious Italian tradition that’s perfect for sharing with family and friends just like in Italy, and great for making delicious recipes, including panettone pudding and orange ricotta panettone ‘shortcake’.